Novak's Approach to this Clay Season

[Riotbeard]

Novak said in an interview, he is going to take the clay season tournament by tournament, instead of focusing on Roland Garros. I think the approach is a good one. Win every day, and come in on top, instead of thinking the French Open is the only important part of the clay season. ( http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/Monte-Carlo-Sunday-Djokovic-Preview.aspx )

I think it's a good approach for Novak.

 

[Front242]

Should've done that last year too. It's like having a gorgeous chick sitting on top of you. Better off not thinking about it :laydownlaughing:snigger:lolz:

Apologies to female viewers

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

^^I just read that too yes..to zone in too much on the French open is prob putting too much mental pressure on himself. look at last years mental collapse.

he wants to compartmentalize stuff. in his head. first up..monte carlo, forget FO.

 

[Front242]

Defending Monte Carlo would be a monumental first step anyway.

 

[tented]

Oh, and Novak -- whatever you do, don't think of a pink elephant.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Oh, and Novak -- whatever you do, don't think about elephants.

For that only, he learnt meditation from Buddhist Monks.

 

[Front242]

Here's Novak working on his focus and psyching himself up for the week ahead.

 

[nehmeth]

^^^^
uzzled

Looks as though Nole went off the gluten free regimen and spent a week with Fat Dave (Nalby) buffet binging on a cruise somewhere.

 

[Kieran]

Novak said in an interview, he is going to take the clay season tournament by tournament, instead of focusing on Roland Garros. I think the approach is a good one. Win every day, and come in on top, instead of thinking the French Open is the only important part of the clay season. ( http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/Monte-Carlo-Sunday-Djokovic-Preview.aspx )

I think it's a good approach for Novak.

It seems the most basic thing, that his sudden discovery of it is remarkable. He's not a rookie, but I suppose it shows how much he wants to win Roland Garros, and that blinded him a little last season. He's always on the move, he'll be dangerous again this year, and it's always good to read Nole's thought...

 

[Riotbeard]

Novak said in an interview, he is going to take the clay season tournament by tournament, instead of focusing on Roland Garros. I think the approach is a good one. Win every day, and come in on top, instead of thinking the French Open is the only important part of the clay season. ( http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/Monte-Carlo-Sunday-Djokovic-Preview.aspx )

I think it's a good approach for Novak.

It seems the most basic thing, that his sudden discovery of it is remarkable. He's not a rookie, but I suppose it shows how much he wants to win Roland Garros, and that blinded him a little last season. He's always on the move, he'll be dangerous again this year, and it's always good to read Nole's thought...

Honestly it's the most important thing for most people (living in the moment), and it's something we are awful at. That is one of the most impressive things about rafa, is his ability to stay in match constantly!

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Here's Novak working on his focus and psyching himself up for the week ahead.

wut :huh: where is this from ? uzzled

 

[Front242]

^ I actually have no idea. Just found it browsing for funny gifs.

 

[Riotbeard]

^ I actually have no idea. Just found it browsing for funny gifs.

Pretty sure it's from 30 Minutes or Less, but not 100%.

 

[Moxie]

Novak said in an interview, he is going to take the clay season tournament by tournament, instead of focusing on Roland Garros. I think the approach is a good one. Win every day, and come in on top, instead of thinking the French Open is the only important part of the clay season. ( http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/Monte-Carlo-Sunday-Djokovic-Preview.aspx )

I think it's a good approach for Novak.

It seems the most basic thing, that his sudden discovery of it is remarkable. He's not a rookie, but I suppose it shows how much he wants to win Roland Garros, and that blinded him a little last season. He's always on the move, he'll be dangerous again this year, and it's always good to read Nole's thought...

Honestly it's the most important thing for most people (living in the moment), and it's something we are awful at. That is one of the most impressive things about rafa, is his ability to stay in match constantly!

RB, I totally agree with you that "living in the moment" is a great goal for everyone, and very hard to do. You're right, (and kind, as a non-fan,) to say that it is one of Nadal's great strengths. People make fun that he always says that he only looks to his next match, and respects his opponent, and has to play his best to win, but it IS a very Zen approach, and has worked well for him. I think Novak is smart to decide to bite it off in smaller chunks. Everyone knows that RG is a goal for him. He doesn't need to state it, again. I think this approach will probably serve him better.

And I might be sorry for that…. :snigger

 

[Kieran]

I think winning Monte Carlo last year may have gone to Nole's head. He eased off a little and kept his powder dry for RG, maybe thinking he'd made the definitive strike against Rafa, and would take the advantage all the way to Paris. He's better off if he maintains his level this year, through the whole season. Beating Rafa at RG will be a huge enough ask as it is, without letting Rafa settle into the rhythm of winning everything else on the way to the Big Event...

 

[Riotbeard]

I think winning Monte Carlo last year may have gone to Nole's head. He eased off a little and kept his powder dry for RG, maybe thinking he'd made the definitive strike against Rafa, and would take the advantage all the way to Paris. He's better off if he maintains his level this year, through the whole season. Beating Rafa at RG will be a huge enough ask as it is, without letting Rafa settle into the rhythm of winning everything else on the way to the Big Event...

I think it might explain 2012 and 2013 Novak, but who knows... He was there every week in 2011.

 

[isabelle]

Should've done that last year too. It's like having a gorgeous chick sitting on top of you. Better off not thinking about it :laydownlaughing:snigger:lolz:

Apologies to female viewers

Booh male chauvinist pig !!!

 

[Front242]

^ Just a realist

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Whatever his approach is, looks like it worked well the first match.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think winning Monte Carlo last year may have gone to Nole's head. He eased off a little and kept his powder dry for RG, maybe thinking he'd made the definitive strike against Rafa, and would take the advantage all the way to Paris. He's better off if he maintains his level this year, through the whole season. Beating Rafa at RG will be a huge enough ask as it is, without letting Rafa settle into the rhythm of winning everything else on the way to the Big Event...

Righteous.. This is the year that concerns me, I am not comfortable with Rafa's form to date.. I really could use some quotes from Clay Death(aka Samson), someone put up the bat signal for my guy. From what I read so far over the past few weeks Moxie, Tented, BS, and myself are a bit nervous.